Event Matters

In this episode of Event Matters , David Watt is joined by Jennifer Davidson, Founder and CEO of Sleek Events, one of the UK's fastest-growing independent event agencies. Starting out as a freelance event manager with no grand plan to build a business, Jennifer has grown Sleek into a company approaching £50 million in turnover while staying fiercely committed to its independence, its people a...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Shea McNelis, Co-Founder of Integrity Security, one of Ireland’s fastest-growing event security businesses. What began as a bold decision to launch a new company in the middle of the Covid shutdown has grown into a business trusted to secure some of Ireland’s largest public events, including St Patrick’s Festival, major sporting fixtures an...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Craig Mathie, Co-Founder of Project 30 – an event production and project management business delivering work across some of the UK’s biggest sporting, cultural and brand-led events. Craig’s route into the industry began at Bournemouth Sevens, where he worked his way from the bottom of the ladder to Managing Director under the mentorship of...

In this episode of Event Matters , David Watt is joined by Gavin Farley, Founder and CEO of asembl.group – a fast-growing events ecosystem built on entrepreneurial instinct, resilience and a relentless drive to challenge the traditional agency model. Gavin shares his journey from promoting nightclub events on the South Coast in the 1990s to building a business that now spans event agencies, venue...

Taran O’Doherty’s journey from teenage dreamer to thriving business owner proves success is built on adaptability, grit, and clear values.  In this candid conversation, Taran shares how he and his partner Ben transformed a small furniture hire startup into a multi-million-pound operation without external funding or experience, relying instead on street smarts, relentless reinvestment, and a refusa...

Lisa James, founder of the Wentworth Collective is known for her 30 years in hospitality, high-end event creation, and her candid insights on leadership, wellbeing, and cultural transformation. In this episode, Lisa shares her inspiring journey from a travel-obsessed airline baby to a leader who champions positivity, strong values, and authentic relationships in the events industry. Discover how h...

Deborah Rey-Burns' unique journey from finance to art to founding Propeller showcases a radical approach to sourcing and shaping speakers who cut through the noise. She’s built an industry niche, representing future-facing thinkers in technology, creativity, and culture, by challenging industry norms and emphasising genuine impact over mere presentation. In this conversation, we learn how Deb...

 In this episode, Cindy Eisenhuth shares her extraordinary transition from London's high-end restaurant scene to managing some of the world's most prestigious air shows and events. After moving across the world from Australia to the UK, she joined London at the height of a culinary boom. Having opened multiple restaurants, worked under the leadership of Gordon Ramsay, and soaked up every...

In this engaging conversation, Jason Mulhall, founder of Karnival, shares his unique journey from law to banking and consultancy to the vibrant world of street food and events. He discusses the important role that consultancy skills have played in running a successful business, the logistics of managing street food events, and the significance of food in corporate culture. Jason also reflects on t...

In this episode of Event Matters, Joanna Andrews shares her journey from a successful performing artist to the founder of Charm Productions, an event business that specialises in unique entertainment experiences. After an injury put an end to her career as a professional dancer, Joanna decided to create the company she needed: an entertainment business providing work to performers between contract...

In this episode of the Event Matters podcast, Jason Brown, Founder and CEO of Technical Solutions, shares his unconventional journey into the events industry. He discusses the impact of ADHD on his career, the importance of a client-first business model, and the evolution from a hands-on operator to a CEO.  Navigating a unique trajectory from the military to freelancing to running a business, Jaso...

In this January edition of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Kershaw Partners, Mike Kershaw and Richard Dean, for an honest but optimistic conversation about what the coming year will bring for the events industry. 2025 marked a challenging year for events, and a noticeable strain has been felt across the sector. Despite this, Kershaw Partners are excited for what's to come. In this disc...

In this episode of Events Matters, David Watt speaks with Andrew Charlton, Founder and CEO of Hashtag Events, exploring his unique journey from the legal profession to becoming a prominent figure in the events industry.  Andrew reflects candidly on the challenges of the 2007 financial crash and reality of losing key clients overnight. Following this experience, and having identified a need for inf...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Ben Hardy, Managing Director of Richmond Event Management, to explore what leadership really looks like when you are responsible for delivering complex, high-visibility events at scale. Ben brings a delivery-led perspective shaped by years of running large public events across the UK, where planning, safety, stakeholders and scrutiny collid...

In this festive episode of Event Matters , David Watt is joined by Kershaw Partners, Mike Kershaw and Richard Dean, for a brilliantly honest (and often very funny) look at what’s really going on inside event businesses as we wrap up the year. Together, they dig into why so many SME leaders feel overwhelmed, underconfident or unsure what’s actually causing the challenges in their business – even wh...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt and Mike Kershaw are joined by Rita Chandarana, Founder of Eventologists – a creative events company built on grit, passion and a relentless commitment to delivering the beautiful. Rita shares her remarkable journey from stepping in to rescue her family’s struggling wedding business, to building Eventologists into an agency known for immersive experienc...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Holly Faulkner, Co-Founder of Purple Patch Group and Presentation Experts – two businesses built on one core belief: great events and presentations don’t just look good, they make people feel confident, clear and ready to shine. Holly shares how presentations became their secret doorway to long-term event clients – and why making people loo...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Lucy Nicholls, Founder and Creative Director of The PS Event Group - an imagination-led experience company known for blending theatre, psychology and commercial thinking to create live experiences that truly move people. Lucy began her career on the West End and Broadway before turning her performer's instinct into the foundation of a...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt and Mike Kershaw are joined by Chris Lind, Founder and CEO of Shore Events, a 20 person events agency built on clarity, consistency and genuine care for the people who keep it moving. Chris shares how the company grew from a kitchen table idea into a respected events business, and why putting wellbeing and culture at the centre has helped the team remai...

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Simran Whitham, founder of FORMAT Group - now one of the world’s largest games industry nightlife festivals and a thriving creative events movement. Simran shares his remarkable journey from hosting a one-off games event as a 19-year-old student in Manchester to leading award-winning festivals, TEDx conferences, and global brand experiences...

Welcome to the very first episode of Event Matters from Kershaw Partners. In this opening conversation, David Watt, Mike Kershaw and Richard Dean share stories from forty years in the events industry. From Ryder Cup meltdowns to boardroom breakthroughs, they explore what really happens behind the scenes of running and growing event businesses. It is a mix of hard-won lessons, gentle ribbing and ho...